Renewable energy progress short of goal, despite PUC spin

California’s push to dramatically increase the use of renewable power has produced spin from more than just wind turbines.

A short report released today by the state Public Utilities Commission puts a happy face on the progress the state has made toward a law requiring that 20 percent of energy used by the three major utilities come from sources like the sun and wind. With headings like “Utilities are making steady progress toward ambitious 20 percent by 2010 goal” and “California utilities are aggressively procuring renewables” you’d think everything was hunky-dory and the state was well on its way to its mandated goal.

One problem: practically no one thinks the state will meet that goal, even the PUC.

The one chart in the report projecting future renewable power use shows the state falling a few thousand megawatts short of the 2010, and the chart is probably over-optimistic because it assumes every contract utilities have signed for power so far will happen. Some will likely fall through.

The chart is barely referenced anywhere in the text of the rosy PUC report, which doesn’t provide any writing on whether the 20 percent mandate will be met.

The PUC is required to produce the report, which is sent to the Legislature. Lawmakers who want a different opinion on the success of the renewable power push can check a report issued recently from the California Energy Commission, which has a more sober take.

“California has achieved only minimal increases in renewable generation,” the energy commission writes before outlining five major problems that have led to slow progress.

The push for renewables is incredibly important for the state’s overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, because the power industry is second only to cars in carbon dioxide emissions. Depending on which report you read, we’re either well on our way or lagging way behind.

For a complete look at the glass-half-full vs. glass-half-empty reports, read the PUC report and the energy commission report.